Mining Security & Crisis Management to be discussed on 12-13 November at high-level Summit in Cape Town

The mining sector in the developing world is growing rapidly, but as investments pour into geopolitically challenging regions such as Sub-Saharan Africa, companies often struggle with complex security considerations. Fractured labour relations, theft of equipment and valuable minerals from mines, illegal mining, work place violence and community engagement challenges can pose major threats to the security of mines.

Terrorism and the potential impact on extractive industries across Africa is a growing concern; in 2013 the mining world was shocked by the deadly terrorist attack on the Areva mine in Niger, which was carried out by the Signed in Blood Batallion (AQIM). It subsequently emerged that the assailants had meticulously studied their target and likely received inside help. Managing the flow of information and being highly alert to insider threats is imperative for the security of mines; how to do this effectively will be an issue addressed at the Forum in November.

In addition to physical security threats, there has also been a rise in cyber threats targeting the industry; The Global Information Security Survey 2013 found that 41% of the mining and metals respondents experienced an increase in external threats over the past 12 months.